In a long-awaited return home, Idaho volleyball will have a pair of tough challenges in front of it.
The Vandals (8-8, BSC 2-2) will take on Sacramento State and Portland State in their first home conference matches of the season. The match against Sacramento State will be Idaho’s first in the Memorial Gym since Aug. 25.
The Hornets (8-10, BSC 3-1) come to Moscow riding a three-match winning streak and pose a unique challenge to an Idaho team that is trending in the opposite direction. In their previous two matches — both losses — the Vandals were out-blocked and remarkably error-prone. Sacramento State is usually a dominant team at the net, record- ing 2.6 blocks per set so far this season. Idaho boasts that exact same figure, but the advantage may be in the homecourt.
In matches away from Sacramento this season, the Hornets are only 1-4. Much unlike the Vandals, Sacramento State played host to two invitationals prior to conference play, but their record away from home suggests a possible weakness on the road. The Hornets also endured a grueling three-match stretch at the Boise State Invitational in which they were swept in all three matches played.
Senior outside hitter Mikaela Nocetti leads the Hornets with 3.84 kills per set, including five matches with 20 kills. Senior middle blocker Lana Brown is a force for Sacramento State at the net, leading the Hornets with 1.27 blocks per set and a .285 hitting.
Idaho’s second matchup will take place Saturday against Portland State.
The Vandals have not beaten Portland State since 2015, but Saturday’s match will be a good opportunity to break that streak. The Vikings currently have a 1-15 record and have started 0-4 in the Big Sky. They have not won a match since their first of the season against Long Beach State. Portland State has only forced two five-set matches and has been swept nine times.
Regardless of records, this is a game Idaho needs to pick up.
The Vandals can ensure victory by maintaining dominance at the net, which is exactly what they did not do in two losses against Weber State and Idaho State. Idaho will have to look out for senior outside hitter Jenna Mullen, who leads the team in points with 155 and 3.18 kills per set.
The Vandals will return home to Memorial Gym to play Sacramento State Thursday at 7 p.m. and the team will play again at home Saturday against Portland State at 7 p.m.
Jonah Baker can be reached at [email protected]